WARNING! Tongue is firmly in cheek. Ne me flammez pas!

WOW.

You have all completely missed the point of the TdF.

The coverage that you see on US tele gives you the incorrect impression that the racing is the important bit...

The Tour is not about racing, nor about national pride, it is not about team spirit, individual determination, publicity, sponsorships, television and radio rights... It is not really even about bicycling...

The TdF was, is, and shall forever be, a great excuse to stage a month long mobile party for the young, wild, and wild-at-heart.

The closest analogy I can give you americains is this: Load three of your buddies into your car, and follow your favourite baseball team on the road for a month or so. Drink heavily. Sleep in the car. At the games, drink some more, holler and jump around a lot, stage impromptu rave parties, and generally have a good time. Don't forget to glance at the game for a few seconds. Better, stage a game-long tailgate party in the parking, and listen to the game on the radio.

Repeat until you either run out of money or get arrested.

I've been to a few Tours and done all of the above. I couldn't have told you who was racing, much less who was leading, and I'm a bike enthusiast!

That said, Lance may be un salaud, (that's a**hole, à la française) but he is a fast, powerful, inspiring, and winning salaud. I see him as the Tiger Wood of the spoke & pedal set.

Hey, d'ya think golfers use PEDs?